Why Is This Important?

Long Story Short

Amber Rose announced her 2016 "slut walk" in the most appropriate way possible: A topless photo posted to a social media site that doesn't allow nudity.

Long Story

The internet is a weird. On the one hand the exploitative nature of cheap pornography is a problem for some, but on the other hand it's an important vehicle for promoting female body autonomy and positivity. At the crossroads of those two issues is Instagram, a social media engine largely driven by sexy "models" that, bizarrely, does not permit even artistic female nudity. Many have voiced their objection to this apparent double-speak, but the latest is Amber Rose, she of #FingersInTheBootyAssBitch fame.

That's her Instagram announcement for her "slut walk," an event that aims to promote "a zero tolerance policy on all hateful language, racism, sexism, ableism, fat-shaming, transphobia or any other kind of bigotry." Because of Instagram's nudity rules, she censored the nipple so that the post could remain active. She posted the uncensored shot to twitter, which is a little more hep to what's going on.

Many celebs, including Chrissy Teigen and Chelsea Handler, have spoken out against Instagram's oddly conservative rules. But it's not just celebrities — #FreeTheNipple is an active and growing movement, and is based on the altogether reasonable principle that if men can be topless in public, why can't women? If men can't control themselves at the sight of some choice sweater kittens, the problem lies with them and not the boobs, so the thinking goes.

Sounds good to me. Less oppression, more boobies. Everyone wins.

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Ask The Big Question

Will society as a whole ever accept desexualized female nudity?

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The more attention the issue gets, the better.

Drop This Fact

It's still technically illegal for a woman to be topless in public — even while breastfeeding — in 35 U.S. states.